So, arriving at my 13th year was special. Then, as I approached 16, I thought, "Wow, I could quit school." Not that I was planning on it.

Then came my first taste of freedom — a license to drive my parents' 1939 Ford sedan. Of course, I never counted on backing across the street and bending a fender. Life was supposed to be about exploration, places to go and exciting new things to enjoy.

Growing up, I liked tap dancing and took lessons for several years. In the end, Shirley Temple was not challenged. It wasn't that Mother did not try. Dad would bring out the plywood for the living room "dance floor" while Mother banged on the ivories, as I tapped out my routine.

One instructor even planned for me to dance on the radio. Not actually on top of the radio, but in the studio of an Indianapolis station where my tap dancing sounds would have been heard but not seen. Unfortunately, my teacher's marriage dissolved and his wife took the studio, so my "first big chance" dissolved along with their marriage.

81 and 'blessed'

So here I am. Don't feel sorry for me. I'm blessed to be 81 now. I have actually begun to accept it. In fact, I believe I finally know what I want to do. I want to write.

I don't think that's such a stretch, even at my age. Grandma Moses is a good role model in not giving up. I read that she embroidered for many years until arthritis in her fingers forced her to stop. One of her daughters wondered if her mother could use a paint brush. The rest is history.

My present challenge is convincing you out there to join me in a new venture.

Recently, I asked our newspaper to give us a bigger voice in the FLORIDA TODAY family. They agreed, and this summer the paper will publish this weekly column so "people of a certain age" can relate their stories.

So I asked for it. Now I have to deliver.

I'm not a journalist, but I have a certain amount of creativity, so I'm going to give it a shot.

But I can't do it by myself. That was never the intent.

You and I have a lot to say, so I hope you will consider joining me in this venture.

Growing as writers

We share beautiful Brevard. We can grow up together as writers, too. I'd like that.

We also live alongside many other age groups, and their stories could be part of what we write. While some of them are facing retirement with great anticipation, others are afraid of losing the identity that their jobs or professions are providing.

A few, who love us, are even worried about us. Should we be told it is time to quit driving? Perhaps we all need to begin talking of assisted living or even — Lord help us all — start arranging to move in with one of our children who now looks forward to his or her own retirement.

Don't let us forget the grandchildren, as well as those great-grandkids. By chance, are you babysitting them? Others of us may feel our long-distance relatives are almost strangers. What's it like to grow up in a new era? Our little ones might simply wonder if our wrinkles "hurt."

And remember, members of your family may yearn for you to record your stories.

So, please skip one of those naps. FLORIDA TODAY wants your story. So do I.

Share 'Ageless' stories

If you are a person of a certain age, or have a story to tell about a person who is, send us your story. Submissions can be e-mailed to Susan White at swhite@floridatoday.com. If you don't have access to e-mail, call Susan at 242-3788 to make other arrangements.

The ideal length is 400 to 600 words, but longer and shorter submissions will be considered. We cannot publish all submissions and reserve the right to suggest some editing.